The owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea is facing potential jail time and a substantial fine for allegedly serving foods with ants. The restaurant’s proprietor, whose identity remains undisclosed in court documents, admitted to offering ants on their menu despite the prohibition of ants in human consumption under South Korea’s Food Sanitation Act.
South Korea’s law permits the consumption of ten specific insect species, excluding ants, according to the BBC. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety learned about the violation through social media posts and online reviews from diners who mentioned the presence of ants.
Permitted Insects for Consumption
South Korea allows grasshoppers, mealworms, silkworm pupae, locusts, and two-spotted crickets among other bugs for nutritional purposes. Despite this variety, a restaurant owner has come under scrutiny for using ants to garnish desserts.
Prosecutors claim that the ants offered at the restaurant contained heavy metals up to 55 times the permissible limit found in other edible insects. They allege that the restaurant imported dried ants and used nearly 49,000 ants since 2021.
Defense attorneys challenged this charge, arguing through The Chosun Daily that ants were optional garnishes and chosen by only 60% of patrons. Alternatives like fermented vinegar and edible flowers were also available.
The court will deliver its verdict in September.
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Global Edible Insect Market
Globally, the market for insect-based foods is burgeoning, as reported by Fox News Digital. Insects are accepted food products in various parts of the world, and the market is anticipated to expand from $1.73 billion in 2025 to $13.23 billion by 2034. Factors driving this growth include increased interest in sustainable nutrition and resource efficiency, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Beetles led the insect food market in 2025 with a 33% share, as reported by Persistence Market Research. Yellow mealworms and lesser mealworms are also favored, while crickets and grasshoppers are rapidly gaining popularity.
A study conducted at the University of Beira Interior in Portugal revealed that individuals exposed to insect foods were more curious and open to them than preconceived attitudes might suggest.
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Insect-Based Foods in the U.S.
Various insect-based food options are available for consumers in the U.S. Products such as Chirps Chips, made from cricket flour, and cricket protein powders and snack bars are on the market.
Jiminy’s offers grain-free cookies for dogs made from crickets and grubs, catering not only to humans but pets as well.
Teresa Mull contributes as a freelance writer on Fox News Digital’s Lifestyle team.
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